18
THE DAVEY BULLETIN
|
March/April 2020
CANADIAN SKILLS TRAINERS
Mike Barber, London office
Jason Cross, Kelowna office
Mike Enticknap, Ottawa office
Collin Hartman, Lower Mainland
Utility
Neil Hounsham, Utility West
Troy Howe, Fortis BC
Scott Imrie, London office
Noah Lane, Windsor office
Gary MacDonald, Strathroy office
James McCue, Toronto West office
Kyle Milberry, EPCOR Utility
Larry Miller, Cambridge Hydro
Steve Peters, Lower Mainland Utility
Nick Picard, Niagara office
Graham Smith, Victoria office
Nick Spino, Burlington office
Dallas Stewart, Vancouver Utility
Jim Trouten, Mississauga office
Ben Turchet, Hamilton office
Trevor White, Alectra East
Kyle Wood, Hamilton office
FIELD EMPLOYEES BECOME SKILLS TRAINERS
The Davey Tree Expert Company of Canada, Limited, is taking a
regionalized approach for arborist skills training through their Skills Trainer
Development Program by taking field employees and teaching them how
to be instructors.
"This program is meant to help engage employees in safety, training
and efficiency in the field," said Devin Terris, regional safety specialist-
Eastern Canada.
The skills trainers are assigned to work with an operation if a need
is recognized. Until a training is needed, they work as full-time field
employees in their various home operations. Canada's safety department
identifies employees in the field who show promise and puts them
through the Skills Trainer Development Program.
"We look at their expertise. And secondly, we negotiate with the local
operations to see if they can be released to assist with these programs,"
said Pat Perry, vice president of safety and employee development.
Canada's safety department wanted to create more consistency and
standardize the trainings offered, so the message delivered was the
same each time. During the program, the skills trainers receive adult
education training, skills to cater to all learning styles and information
on how to be an effective instructor.
There are currently 17 skills trainers in the Canadian program. The group
is spread out across the country and all work remotely.
Terris said this program has been a cost savings, as the skills trainers
stay within a couple hours drive of where they are stationed. It also allows
for more flexibility to schedule the trainings or to reschedule a training
due to inclement weather.
Terris said the program also offers an opportunity to engage more
experienced employees and give them leadership opportunities.
"This is a way to keep the senior employees engaged with their learning
and pass their knowledge onto the younger generation," Terris said.
Steve Peters, skills trainer, Lower Mainland Utility, reviews tree felling techniques.
During the classroom portion of the Canadian
Skills Trainer Development Program, the skills
trainers learn the theory behind adult learners,
different learning styles and best methods
of delivery.
EXPERTISE
